In the winter semester of 2008/09, the German economy has fallen into a crisis of historic proportions. Total economic output shrank since the autumn of last year, seasonally adjusted, by almost 6% in real terms. These losses were primarily in investments and exports. In contrast, the private consumption expenditure was almost stable. Later this year, economic development will be characterized by governmental support measures, with a persistent negative trend. In 2009, gross domestic product will decrease by 6.5%. In the following year, aggregate production is almost stagnant. Gross domestic product in 2010 will decline by 0.4%. During 2009, the unemployment figure will increase on average by about 300,000 people. Even in 2010, unemployment will increase strongly. At the end of the year, seasonally adjusted, the unemployment figure will culminate at around 4.7 million people. The unemployment rate will arrive at 10.3% in 2010, after 8.2% in 2009. At 0.3%, the inflation rate is very low in both years.